Comments on Willie Moscont

[mikemosconi]

Some here say that guys like jason shaw are better than Mosconi and could break the record- no problem, if they were motivated to do so. OK, I live 15 minutes from where jason shaw lives here in Ct. and his father in law owns a billiard room - US1 Billiards in West Haven CT. - any day and I mean any day that jason feels like he is really in stroke- send me a note and I will be there in 20 minutes with $10K and have someone post the their $10K and I will give him 24 hours to run 527, just like Mosconi, in an exhibition match setting, where I will be the opponent. He will have to run it off a missed shot or a safe, just like Mosconi. let's make it $20K - and I'll bring a few other italian guys with me to make sure the bet gets paid off- cause he ain't gonna do 527!

 

[easy-e]

Some here say that guys like jason shaw are better than Mosconi and could break the record- no problem, if they were motivated to do so. OK, I live 15 minutes from where jason shaw lives here in Ct. and his father in law owns a billiard room - US1 Billiards in West Haven CT. - any day and I mean any day that jason feels like he is really in stroke- send me a note and I will be there in 20 minutes with $10K and have someone post the their $10K and I will give him 24 hours to run 527, just like Mosconi, in an exhibition match setting, where I will be the opponent. He will have to run it off a missed shot or a safe, just like Mosconi. let's make it $20K - and I'll bring a few other italian guys with me to make sure the bet gets paid off- cause he ain't gonna do 527!

That's very generous of you to give the man 24 whole hours to break the record.

 

[jasonlaus]

Speaking of Grady, I personally saw him perform an exhibition around 1999 at Drexeline Billiards in Philly. The room is a straight pool player's room. All GC's. All 760 cloth (the best for straight pool). Nice and cold AC going during the exhibiiton. Polished centennial balls. Grady said he would attempt to run 100 balls. He tried 3 innings. I think his high was about 25. I think he was about 50 years old in 1999. Mosconi was still running 100 at the drop of a hat at that age. Maybe he was just hating on Mosconi when he wrote those comments?

I saw him in 2000 or 2001 warm up for about 20 mins and bet the owner double on nothing on his fee that he could run a hundred, then proceed to do it on the first try. 9'Anniversary with 760 simmonis.
Jason

 

[bstroud]

I never saw Mosconi play an exhibition where was not serious about winning.

When I was 17-18 I was asked to play him at an exhibition at the new Brunswick room in Dallas. New Gold crowns.

I said no.

Instead the got Ernie Gomez (Fat Ernie) another good player in Dallas.

I went to watch. It was fun.

Going to 125 Ernie was 37 to -3 and was strutting around the room in front of his friends. Finally he popped off " When you gonna run out Mosconi?"

Mosconi just glared at him and said " Right Now".

He proceded to run 128 and quit.

I think Alf Taylor may have been there also.

Mosconi was a monster player. Not so friendly when he was playing but great at the dinner table.

Bill S.

 

[Low500]

I saw him in 2000 or 2001 warm up for about 20 mins and bet the owner double on nothing on his fee that he could run a hundred, then proceed to do it on the first try. 9'Anniversary with 760 simmonis.
Jason

That was Grady's standard deal......and he didn't demand waxed balls, 5 inch pockets, curse, spit, throw chalk, bad mouth other players (especially if they gambled), and insult the equipment either like "his majesty Willie".
:thumbup:

 

[lfigueroa]

I never saw Mosconi play an exhibition where was not serious about winning.

When I was 17-18 I was asked to play him at an exhibition at the new Brunswick room in Dallas. New Gold crowns.

I said no.

Instead the got Ernie Gomez (Fat Ernie) another good player in Dallas.

I went to watch. It was fun.

Going to 125 Ernie was 37 to -3 and was strutting around the room in front of his friends. Finally he popped off " When you gonna run out Mosconi?"

Mosconi just glared at him and said " Right Now".

He proceded to run 128 and quit.

I think Alf Taylor may have been there also.

Mosconi was a monster player. Not so friendly when he was playing but great at the dinner table.

Bill S.

There's a guy here in St Louis that got to play Mosconi in one of his exhibition matches. Supposedly the local guy got off to a good start running some balls, But when he was walking to his next shot, he passed by Mosconi, who said, "They're here to see me, kid, not you you." The guy got so rattled he missed the next ball and Mosconi ran 100.

I will say that in four times I saw him he was never anything but a complete gentleman during and after his exhibitions.

Lou Figueroa

 

[mikemosconi]

That's very generous of you to give the man 24 whole hours to break the record.

I am responding to those who claim that it would be so easy for the top pros today to break the record if they just wanted to concentrate on 14.1--some people here claimed that runs of 700-800 would occur- I say to that OK- no problem- have any one of these guys go practice all the 14.1 they desire- when they feel they are "READY" I will post my own $20,000 that says they cannot even run 527. A guy like Jason- who was mentioned in these claims- no disrespect to him - would be an example of someone that I would place my bet against him beating the record - how long would someone need if it were not that difficult as some here claim- OK break up the 24 hours into three 8 day sessions- I will still place my bet. Seems those who claim that Mosconi was not so great are not jumping up at my offer now are they? Easy to talk - harder to back it up - isn't it?
I am talking about a BET - not a lifetime achievement award SMARTY!

 

[chefjeff]

he was an ass if being beaten during an exhibition. thats for sure.
h(snip).

True dat.

I have friend that played Willie at a college exhibition back when. Willie ran 20 or so and then my friend ran like 30 something. Willie came over to him and whispered: "This about me not you, cut it out." or something along those lines.

Still the greatest so far, imho.



Jeff Livingston

 

[pt109]

Willie Hoppe had a high tournament run..18...The Hawk finally broke it...
...Hoppe's exhibition run of 25 was finally surpassed.

Willie Mosconi's 526 still stands after 63 years...
..Willie was and is the best...get over it.

Willie had some quirks....like most perfectionists, he was OCD.


I will acknowledge that Daz's 200 in competition was marvelous also.

But Willie's achievement in 14.1 is the only one that rivals Walter Lindrum's English
Billiards feats.

 

[easy-e]

I am responding to those who claim that it would be so easy for the top pros today to break the record if they just wanted to concentrate on 14.1--some people here claimed that runs of 700-800 would occur- I say to that OK- no problem- have any one of these guys go practice all the 14.1 they desire- when they feel they are "READY" I will post my own $20,000 that says they cannot even run 527. A guy like Jason- who was mentioned in these claims- no disrespect to him - would be an example of someone that I would place my bet against him beating the record - how long would someone need if it were not that difficult as some here claim- OK break up the 24 hours into three 8 day sessions- I will still place my bet. Seems those who claim that Mosconi was not so great are not jumping up at my offer now are they? Easy to talk - harder to back it up - isn't it?
I am talking about a BET - not a lifetime achievement award SMARTY!

No one, including the man who actually set the record, would take that bet! So what are you proving? Also, no one has said it would be "so easy" for them to do it. People are trying to say that the record could be broken on the same equipment if someone cared enough to do it. I agree with that. Good luck finding someone to take your imaginary and ridiculous bet.

Another thing I have to ask. Why did you say you'd bring Italian guys to help collect the winnings? Are you saying Jason might stiff you? Are Italian guys scary in Connecticut? I don't get it.

 

[chefjeff]

There's a guy here in St Louis that got to play Mosconi in one of his exhibition matches. Supposedly the local guy got off to a good start running some balls, But when he was walking to his next shot, he passed by Mosconi, who said, "They're here to see me, kid, not you you." The guy got so rattled he missed the next ball and Mosconi ran 100.

I will say that in four times I saw him he was never anything but a complete gentleman during and after his exhibitions.

Lou Figueroa

You beat me to it. At least our two stories confirm how it went.


Jeff Livingston

 

[Mr. Bond]

True dat.

I have friend that played Willie at a college exhibition back when. Willie ran 20 or so and then my friend ran like 30 something. Willie came over to him and whispered: "This about me not you, cut it out." or something along those lines.

Still the greatest so far, imho.



Jeff Livingston

I am also aware of some occasions where Mosconi missed on purpose to give his opponent a chance and please the crowd. Specifically when he played with Balukas and other females.

Much more polite than say, Earl Strickland.

As for the 526, it really doesn't matter if someone beats it or not because they still will not have earned a stack of world titles as tall as Willie. You could beat the run but not his career.

 

[lfigueroa]

I am also aware of some occasions where Mosconi missed on purpose to give his opponent a chance and please the crowd. Specifically when he played with Balukas and other females.

Much more polite than say, Earl Strickland.

As for the 526, it really doesn't matter if someone beats it or not because they still will not have earned a stack of world titles as tall as Willie. You could beat the run but not his career.

Yes. He'd sometimes calling the head ball into the side pocket or a one rail bank on the right corner ball.

Lou Figueroa

 

[barrymuch90]

There's a guy here in St Louis that got to play Mosconi in one of his exhibition matches. Supposedly the local guy got off to a good start running some balls, But when he was walking to his next shot, he passed by Mosconi, who said, "They're here to see me, kid, not you you." The guy got so rattled he missed the next ball and Mosconi ran 100.

I will say that in four times I saw him he was never anything but a complete gentleman during and after his exhibitions.

Lou Figueroa

I used to work at Riley's concord billiards and Chris Riley the owner told the same exact story. He was a good player especially in his youth and got his one and only chance to play mosconi and was giving it his all playing safes and bearing down trying to win and eventually mosconi said the line they're here to see me not you. Idk if we're talking about the same guy or if that was a commo. Story and Riley was reliving someone else's past but it's funny cuz I was going to post that when this thread started but I didn't because I can't know if it actually happened or not but I do know Riley told me that exact story only he was in it lol. Hope were talking about the same guy but that would be a small world

 

[barrymuch90]

Again to everyone claiming the equipment was much easier back then blah blah blah the hardest thing about running 526 or almost 40 racks is not missing a ball but continuing to get a shot. I practice running balls and more than not my run ends on not getting a good angle for a break ball or going into a cluster and getting stuck or all the other ways u can get stuck or hooked when attempting a 526 ball run. The actual potting of balls may be the easier part in a high run when compared to the other almost impossible necessities required to keep running racks of straight pool

 

[easy-e]

Again to everyone claiming the equipment was much easier back then blah blah blah the hardest thing about running 526 or almost 40 racks is not missing a ball but continuing to get a shot. I practice running balls and more than not my run ends on not getting a good angle for a break ball or going into a cluster and getting stuck or all the other ways u can get stuck or hooked when attempting a 526 ball run. The actual potting of balls may be the easier part in a high run when compared to the other almost impossible necessities required to keep running racks of straight pool

Don't you think you'd have a far better chance at getting shots if the table was smaller and the pockets were bigger? If you get a steep angle on your break ball, it's easier to make it if the pockets are bigger.

 

[barrymuch90]

Yes I think bigger pockets will make certain shots available but my point is when u put urself in a position where u have no shots the size of the pocket doesn't matter n anyone who plays straight pool knows how impressive it is to break balls out remove trouble balls open clusters and play proper position on 36 straight racks is more impressive then actually potting 526 consecutive balls. Both are incredible feats but the thing that makes me most astounded is being able to knock get hooked and get a shot 526 consecutive times. That's my point and as far as equipment goes I'd say there are both advantages and disadvantages to each era if you talk about willies table and pocket size you have to remember today's players have much improved cue balls object balls cloth and it's not fair to say Willis had it way easier. Like everyone from that era has mentioned the balls didn't spread like today's Willis would break a few out at a time not because of anything but the fact his equipment wouldn't allow it.

 

[Black-Balled]

1. Willie played so well, he didn't put himself in a 'position where you have no shot.

B. To opine Willie didn't go into the rack fully for any reason other that as a result of his prowess is jus...an opinion.

he was a master of a largely lost art.

Yes I think bigger pockets will make certain shots available but my point is when u put urself in a position where u have no shots the size of the pocket doesn't matter n anyone who plays straight pool knows how impressive it is to break balls out remove trouble balls open clusters and play proper position on 36 straight racks is more impressive then actually potting 526 consecutive balls. Both are incredible feats but the thing that makes me most astounded is being able to knock get hooked and get a shot 526 consecutive times. That's my point and as far as equipment goes I'd say there are both advantages and disadvantages to each era if you talk about willies table and pocket size you have to remember today's players have much improved cue balls object balls cloth and it's not fair to say Willis had it way easier. Like everyone from that era has mentioned the balls didn't spread like today's Willis would break a few out at a time not because of anything but the fact his equipment wouldn't allow it.

 

[ctyhntr]

Everyone is entitled to their opinions. When the facts don't jibe, some will vigorously defend their opinions. I don't argue, not worth it, just walk away.

When I played league pool with some folks at work, I remember one SL3/4 boasted how good he was that playing game room pool helped pay his way through college.

Again to everyone claiming the equipment was much easier back then blah blah blah the hardest thing about running 526 or almost 40 racks is not missing a ball but continuing to get a shot. I practice running balls and more than not my run ends on not getting a good angle for a break ball or going into a cluster and getting stuck or all the other ways u can get stuck or hooked when attempting a 526 ball run. The actual potting of balls may be the easier part in a high run when compared to the other almost impossible necessities required to keep running racks of straight pool

 

[Bob Jewett]

Bob - do you think maybe the style of play bears on the comment in bold? Mosconi was considered an aggressive player. I recall him saying somewhere that Crane would have won more championships had he been a little more aggressive/offense minded. To run more than 150 or 160 balls might take a level of risk that even Mosconi wasn't willing to take in tournament play. Exhibition play, of course, encourages crazy shots to keep the run going. ...

I think that a 50% or maybe even a 70% shot was considered too risky. That's understandable when the player is 99% or more on average -- the cut all the way along the long rail is scary. But unless there is a safe to play that is guaranteed to be very hard to get out of, I think you should try for the 51% shots since if you go into a safe sequence you are arguably only 50% to get the upper hand, assuming a good match.

I think most of the players today will shoot at the 50% shots when it's all they have to start or continue the run.